Navigate:

July 20, 2009

Categories:

As Chris Cillizza notes, there's a bit of a Bobby Jindal relaunch under way (such is the speed of the news cycle that you only have to wait a couple of months), pegged to the health care fight and Jindal's expertise on the subject.

I know a little something about health care policy, and I can tell you exactly the game that is currently afoot. If the House Democrats’ plan were to become law, the president’s statement that “if you like your health care now, you can keep it” will not be true. This is not an opinion, this is a fact.

Businesses will, in effect, be forced to send employees into the Demoacrats’ government-run health care. It’s really not something to argue about, it is a fact. A private health insurance system, otherwise known as what we have today, will not be able to compete with a taxpayer-subsidized government plan, and businesses faced with growing health care costs will opt to either lay off more workers or send employees into the government plan. One independent study already suggested that up to 119 million Americans will end up leaving their private plans for the public plan. To think otherwise requires one to suspend disbelief.

The plan the House Democrats are developing is a radical restructuring of health care in America. You may like it, you may not, but it is just that; there is no denying or sugarcoating it.

The people want health care for all and the dems are trying to give it to them. The repubs are back to being the "party of no", except they cant discredit this plan without resorting to lies, distortion and misinformation. The repubs feel that health care should remain a luxury for those who are wealthy enough to afford it...just another handout to the rich (just like Bush's tax cuts). The health insurance companies have bought off the repubs because this plan would force them to compete...something that would stop the runaway rise in health care costs and turn their massive profits into something more reasonable.

Hate to admit it, but Jindal has a good point. We may need to step back and take another look at this. It will clearly come down as a tax increase that we pushed through and I don't know any democrats who really want to run on that.

"Jindal needs to come up with a health plan that will help businesses instead of talking about something that he does know at this time. Also if he is complaining then his conservative ideology will be TRUMPED by compassion. He can also just start finding ways to make more money and MAN-UP."

Jindal is correct. The government plan will undercut the private insurance plans that cover most small to medium size businesses. These small businesses will say to heck with the hassle and expense of providing health insurance and tell their employees to join the government plan. Many liberals want single payer government run health care and this will move it in that direction.

watch video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83FvLjsUOJg&feature=player_embedded
snippet
President Obama: It's about every business forced to shut their doors, or shed jobs, or ship them overseas. It's about state governments overwhelmed by Medicaid, federal budgets consumed by Medicare, and deficits piling higher year after year.

This is the status quo. This is the system we have today. This is what the debate in Congress is all about: Whether we'll keep talking and tinkering and letting this problem fester as more families and businesses go under, and more Americans lose their coverage. Or whether we?ll seize this opportunity -- one we might not have again for generations-- and finally pass health insurance reform this year, in 2009.

Now we know there are those who will oppose reform no matter what. We know the same special interests and their agents in Congress will make the same old arguments, and use the same scare tactics that have stopped reform before because they profit from this relentless escalation in health care costs. And I know that once you've seen enough ads and heard enough people yelling on TV, you might begin to wonder whether there's a grain of truth to what they're saying. So let me take a moment to answer a few of their arguments.

First, the same folks who controlled the White House and Congress for the past eight years as we ran up record deficits will argue -- believe it or not -- that health reform will lead to record deficits. That's simply not true. Our proposals cut hundreds of billions of dollars in unnecessary spending and unwarranted giveaways to insurance companies in Medicare and Medicaid. They change incentives so providers will give patients the best care, not just the most expensive care, which will mean big savings over time. And we have urged Congress to include a proposal for a standing commission of doctors and medical experts to oversee cost-saving measures.

I want to be very clear: I will not sign on to any health plan that adds to our deficits over the next decade. And by helping improve quality and efficiency, the reforms we make will help bring our deficits under control in the long-term.
Those who oppose reform will also tell you that under our plan, you won't get to choose your doctor -- that some bureaucrat will choose for you. That's also not true. Michelle and I don't want anyone telling us who our family?s doctor should be ? and no one should decide that for you either. Under our proposals, if you like your doctor, you keep your doctor. If you like your current insurance, you keep that insurance. Period, end of story.

Finally, opponents of health reform warn that this is all some big plot for socialized medicine or government-run health care with long lines and rationed care. That's not true either. I don't believe that government can or should run health care. But I also don't think insurance companies should have free reign to do as they please.

That's why any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange: a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, cost and track records of a variety of plans -- including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest-- and choose what?s best for your family. And that?s why we?ll put an end to the worst practices of the insurance industry: no more yearly caps or lifetime caps; no more denying people care because of pre-existing conditions; and no more dropping people from a plan when they get too sick. No longer will you be without health insurance, even if you lose your job or change jobs.

The good news is that people who know the system best are rallying to the cause of change. Just this past week, the American Nurses Association, representing millions of nurses across America, and the American Medical Association, representing doctors across our nation, announced their support because they've seen first-hand the need for health insurance reform.

They know we cannot continue to cling to health industry practices that are bankrupting families, and undermining American businesses, large and small. They know we cannot let special interests and partisan politics stand in the way of reform-- not this time around.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released estimates this evening confirming for the first time that H.R. 3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act, is deficit neutral over the 10-year budget window - and even produces a $6 billion surplus. CBO estimated more than $550 billion in gross Medicare and Medicaid savings. More importantly, the bill includes a comprehensive array of delivery reforms to set the stage for lowering the future growth in health care costs.

Net Medicare and Medicaid savings of $465 billion, coupled with the $583 billion revenue package reported today by the House Committee on Ways and Means, fully finance the previously estimated $1.042 trillion cost of reform, which will provide affordable health care coverage for 97% of Americans.

"This fulfills the strong commitment of the President and House leadership to enact health reform on a deficit-neutral basis," said Chairman Henry A. Waxman, Chairman Charles B. Rangel, and Chairman George Miller. "The reforms included in this legislation will help control health care costs and expand access to quality, affordable coverage to all Americans in a fiscally-responsible manner."

The estimates also cover important reinvestments in Medicare and Medicaid, including phasing in the closing of the "donut" hole in the Medicare drug benefit. The bill's long-term reform of Medicare's physician fee schedule to eliminate the potential 21 percent cut in fees, and put payments on a sustainable basis for the future, will cost about $245 billion. Those costs, however, are not included in the net calculations above, as they will be absorbed under the upcoming statutory "pay go" legislation that is pending in the House.

Well, having read the relevant passages of both the Tri-Committee and Senate HELP committee bills, I can say without fear of error that Bobby Jindal is categorically full of ****.
Glad to know that before the primary season heats up: it's always good to know who's a liar before the speeches start.

Do those right wingers who say a public plan will lead to, "Companies switching to the Public Plan and, therefore, people not being able to see their preferred doctors," want to make it illegal for companies to switch private insurance providers because that too can lead to people not being able to see their preferred doctors? Because otherwise these right wingers are just hypocritical liars.

Bobby Jindal why cannot the greedy private health care insurance system compete with a taxpayer subsidized government plan? hmm? no massive profits? Small business will be happy better for them and money now left to reinvest in their small business and employees now save money also and no worries of rising cost being denied, not being to get health insurance, bankruptcy, told precondition and not over..all mention above sounds like a greed stealing game massive profits for who...stop your obstruction and fear mongering....if insurance companies where really worried about all human beings they would not be denying etc etc...period..it is a business and business only to get massive excessive unjust profits...all is greed....rich socialism greed...give me give me give me----there are takers in life and givers...working middle class are the givers..period..use our common sense God gave us all....make it non profit..Pres Obama is not out to get rich..but the rich are out to get richer and do not like it when the game rules are changed and fair for all..in truth and honesty...

Jindal "knows something about healthcare." I wonder if he knows that from 1992 through 2006, Medicare costs per patient in his state stayed at the third highest in the country, behind only New York and New Jersey (even Mass. had lower costs). What exactly did he do as the head of the Dept. of Health and Hospitals, or as Governor, that did anything to impact these high costs?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31390679/ns/health-health_care

jindal is only a rhodes scholar who studied health policy at oxford, and former secretary of health and hospitals, and only had full scholarships to every top med school in the country after graduating top of his class, pre-med

As President, I promise to investigate the Obama thug administration until we see the very last one in prison. From trying to fundamentally change the country to a Sociailist state to releasing secret documents to imprison former adminstration officials. You have my word.

Everything stated here is fact, not fallacy. People need to start educating themselves as to what is going to happen with this OBAMACARE. They need to stop blindly going along with the policies and actions of Obama because they are partisans, and will vote for anything and everything just because of the letter after their name. Or, on the other hand, they simply do not care to take the time to educate themselves on matters that effect everyone, not just conservatives, or liberals, but all Americans from every political aspect. They see Obama has a cult figure, in their eyes, he can do no wrong, and he is their hero come to save them. They know nothing about him politically, nor do they know nothing about politics. The comments on this thread indicate as much. Some of you posters are really ignoramuses. You should not be allowed to vote in political elections. You know more about contestants on American Idol, then you do about American politicians, and politics and what is happening in the country. I have researched and read a good deal of the bill and I would recommend everyone else do so, because there is some scary stuff in this bill, and the more people are finding out just exactly how negatively they will be impacted by this bill they do not like it. This bill will change America, as we once knew her forever. We will forever regret if this bill passes. Obama wants THIS bill rammed through, rammed down our throats, he wants it passed yesterday, why the urgency, he says he would like a bi-partisan bill, but if it comes to a partisan bill so be it. In the best interest of us all, make it a bill that the majority of people can agree and live with. Why the urgency Obama? The reason is he knows that the more that is exposed in this bill, the more people will realize this is just an atrocious bill, and so very bad for all Americans. His past actions and policies thus far since he took office, clearly indicate he is not truly looking to fix things, but destroy things as a means to grow the government, make everyone dependent on the Obama government. Take the blinders off people and open up your eyes to what his going on here. Obama is knee capping and strong arming people to go along with not only his OBAMACARE, but also many of his actions and policies. Do not fool yourself into believing these people are just happily going along here. They are being strong armed, bribed, you name it, this community agitator from Chicago you can bet is pulling out all the stops here to get his way. As he stated, DO NOT BET AGAINST ME. Obama has taken over the banking industry, the auto industry, and given it to the unions. He is in charge of the mortgage industry. He has 32 czars and counting, this shadow government, they have no accountability to legislative forces. Congress did not approve them. He is pushing cap and trade which has nothing to do with global warming. It is a job killer. It is about taxes, like everything else with Obama. This healthcare bill passes this will be the final nail in the coffin for every American. He is stealing our individual liberty and freedoms. This bill passage will mean the Obama government will be able to regulate every aspect of your life. We are becoming a banana republic. The role of the US government is to secure our unalienable rights, not seize them. Maybe people should look at the Constitution, or the Declaration of Independence. To paraphrase a portion, Americans are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. It is time to tell Obama that his yes we can, is NO YOU CANNOT. READ THE BILL FOR YOURSELF. Do not be like the politicians or the majority of the Obama supporters who would rather tune into America Idol then tune into what is going on right under their noses. Wake up.

The only thing Jindal knows about is how to make coffee, heat up hot dogs and nacho cheese, and how long it takes to microwave a burrito. He needs to stick to the things he knows something about and stop the lies and deceit.

Before the Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld Admin and almost all of Congress agreed to start a war in Iraq for no reason, the CBO forecast the potential cost for that war if it lasted 10 years. The price tag: $2.6 Trillion dollars!! That is almost double the CBO score for Health care Reform! Where were all the "small government, spend no money" Republicans back then? AND WHERE WERE ALL THE DEMOCRATS?! I don't remember any single one of them shouting about leaving that money for future generations to pay off.

All the republicans can do is say no to everything. When it comes to making a plan of their own they never deliver. Want proof? Well, where is the republican health care plan? Oh yeah...THERE ISNT ONE!!!

"businesses faced with growing health care costs will opt to either lay off more workers or send employees into the government plan."

So, if the current trajectory maintains, and there is no government plan, then businesses will simply be forced to lay people off due to rising health care costs. That's all the more reason to support the Democrats' plan.

Jindal, I like you and I respect your "opinion", but you are a Republican who go along with all the other Republicans. Thus, which Republican do I believe since you all think a like. Healthcare reform you all agree, complain about House & Senate plans you all do, but solutions you don't have.

Media Failing Again on Healthcare Reform
CLICK HERE
First we had AP's zombie numbers, and now we've got cable news, and conservative pundits, all abuzz about testimony yesterday afternoon from CBO Director about the healthcare reform bills in the works.

His statement has been trumpted all over the news, but unfortunately, the traditional media isn't reporting anything beyond that statement, including follow-up testimony to the House Ways and Means Committee in which he walked his statement back. The blogospherci healthcare wonks give you the full story that doesn't fit into the traditional media's narrative.

This is complicated, expensive, and confusing business. But those reporting on it, and those serious about actually making real reform--reform that's worth doing, owe it to all of us to give us the full story.

"A private health insurance system, otherwise known as what we have today, will not be able to compete with a taxpayer-subsidized government plan..."
There is plenty of room to criticize the House plan...it addresses coverage but does little to limit/curb health costs.
But I don't buy that private companies can't compete w/the Feds. Think UPS/Fedex vs USPS
www.mbadaycamp

If Jindal's comments had come from the mouth of a Democrat, would you be so quick to dismiss the argument that Jindal makes? Small business men and women are going to lose if OBAMACARE is passed, PERIOD. And, when small business men and women lose, then all of us lose. Stop listening to Obama, Pelosi, Ried, Rangle! Open your mind, and think this through. Do we really want another entitlement program (that NEVER goes away)? Do we really want our personal health care program to be controlled by DC bureaucrats? You naysayers say that this will NOT happen. But, what if it does...what if we create an entitlement program that never goes away, and on top of that, one day -- to control costs -- we will all have to wait for the approval of a bureaucrat to get the health care that you or your loved one needs. What is even more disturbing to me is the blind acceptance of some folks for this plan. This is too big for the rookie in the White House and his cronies in Congress. This is America! Think Independently PLEASE!

The problem with the Republican arguments are these: 1) That a public plan will drive private insurers out of business. Actually, the public plan will provide insurance to those who do not receive it already. Ergo, these people are not customers of private insurance companies, nor will they be so unless they start innovating to get these untapped customers, the government will see to them. 2) That businesses will drop thier insurance in favor of the public plan. One way that businesses get and keep quality employees without offering more money is to provide a good benifits package. A package that costs them about $2,000 per year will allow them to offer $5,000 per year less pay and still get a good quality worker because their needs are taken care of. This is a vital omission in the republican logic. 3) This will cost taxpayers more money. The tax increase on the uppper pay scale and the cuts to medicare, plus a few adjustments from the overall health industry should cover the costs. Other areas of additional funding come from letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire, finishing up with two costly wars and getting people back to work and back to paying taxes and not collecting unemployment. 4) This will hurt small businesses and cause them to lay people off. Actually, the proposed bargining units will help small businesses get affordable health care for their employees, allowing them to retain quality talent, which will allow them to become more productive and eventually expand thier business. I read an article in the Northwest Indiana Times about businesses who are small and growing, but can't expand to meet the demands. Why? Because quality workers want benifits so it's actually difficult to find experianced, good quality hires for the long term.

"Jindal appears to be creepy and unsure of himself. Pres. Obama says health care isn't about him as the gop tries to set him up for failure. The gop need to understand that it is about the American people. I am sure that they know people that need health care. Just look at some gop members who need health reform now, i.e. Sanford, Ensign, etc., especially for their mental health."

The health insurance conglomerates need competition to keep them honest. The dems plan does this. Health insurers often cancel the policies of those with costly conditions, or deny coverage to folks with pre-existing conditions. The dems plan fixes this. Jindal doesnt have the grapes to mention any of this, nor do any of the other detractors. Another vital element they fail to recognize is that if nothing is done health care costs will continue to skyrocket and force companies to either lay off workers or cut coverage for their workers...turning the health care crisis in this country from bad to worse. As it is heath care costs are the number one reason people file for bankruptcy in this country, and most of those people had insurance! What will happen to folks with no insurance if they have a catastrophic health event? As Bobby Dylan said - you dont have to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows...and Jindal is just blowing wind.

"If Jindal's comments had come from the mouth of a Democrat, would you be so quick to dismiss the argument that Jindal makes? Small business men and women are going to lose if OBAMACARE is passed, PERIOD"

That IS NOT what Jindal just said, and your assertion is in no way supported by what he said. According to JINDAL'S statement, insurance companies are going to lose if Obama's health care plan is realized. Jindal admits that it's actually going to be cheaper for businesses to enroll in the government insurance plan. His argument is that this will effectively lead to single payer, even though the Democrats are telling you that you will be able to "keep your plan". Technically he's wrong, but pratically he's right. BUT, if 1) the costs of health care weren't such a huge burden on businesses and 2) private health insurance wasn't so costly (most people who have plans through their job only pay a portion of their plan, and they couldn't afford it either if they had to buy it full on their own), none of that would be the case.

Like you can believe anything that Bobby Jindal says. HA HA HA.
Wrong again loser.
I remember how much he cares about his state. He was ready to reject the stimulus money for the unemployed.
What a jack ass he is. LOL

Hey Floored in Flordia,
"we will all have to wait for the approval of a bureaucrat to get the health care that you or your loved one needs."
And now whose approval do I have to wait for? VISA....
Is that the way you like it??
Maybe someday you or one of your loved ones won't have a job and will get sick. Then what??? Then VISA won't approve you and you or your loved one will suffer and die from your sickness.
I know what you clowns in Florida are like. Too bad your going to get health insurance anyway because Obama's plan is going to pass!!!!
Meanwhile rot in Hell ..........